1938 Velocette MSS

The 1930s were the absolutely the heyday of British singles. BSA, Triumph, Norton, Velocette, Sunbeam, Rudge, New Hudson, Excelsior, HRD, New Imperial and Royal Enfield all made 500 CC singles during the 1930s.

No doubt one of the best of the lot was the Velocette MSS. Introduced in 1935 the MSS continued in the Velocette catalog until 1968 (None made during the war years).

Velocette introduced a 250 CC (MOV) overhead valve single in 1933 that had a unique cam arrangement that kept the pushrods short and reciprocating mass low. It was so successful that a 1934 350 CC (MAC) followed. In 1935 they introduced the MSS based on the same design with 500 CC. The MSS was originally slotted as a sidecar tug but soon showed it’s worth as a solo bike.

The 1938 Velocette MSS used a 499 CC long stroke air cooled four stroke overhead valve single cylinder motor that made 27 HP at 5000 RPM. A 4 speed transmission with Girder front suspension, rigid rear suspension, drum brakes on both wheels and a dry weight of 375 made for a top speed of 80 MPH.

This particular 1938 Velocette MSS (VIN# 4614) is in Lake Forest, Illinois and is listed as ‘undoubtedly the nicest original MSS in the country’. The bike is said to have never been ridden by the current owner, just “preserved for the next serious collector”. It has over 28,000 miles on the clock. In my research for this bike I found traces of several other attempts to sell this bike primarily on ‘upper shelf’ sites. The bike is currently listed at the starting bid of $20,000 with reserve not met